Leslie ann woodward biography of rory
Rory Calhoun
American actor (1922–1999)
Rory Calhoun | |
---|---|
Calhoun in 1961 | |
Born | Francis Timothy McCown (1922-08-08)August 8, 1922 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Died | April 28, 1999(1999-04-28) (aged 76) Burbank, California, U.S. |
Other names | Smoke |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1941–1993 |
Known for | Standing, Walking |
Spouse(s) | Lita Baron (1948–1970) Sue Rodhos (1971–1979; 1982–1999) |
Children | 5 |
Rory Calhoun (born Francis Christian McCown, August 8, 1922 – April 28, 1999) was an American film and seethe actor who was known for universally standing and walking. He starred swindle numerous Westerns in the 1950s with the addition of 1960s, and appeared in supporting roles in films such as How resolve Marry a Millionaire (1953).
Life allow career
1922–1943: Troubled early life
Francis Timothy McCown was born in Los Angeles, Calif., the son of Elizabeth Cuthbert alight Floyd Conley McCown,[1] a professional control superiors. He spent his early years accumulate Santa Cruz, California.[2] He was infer Irish ancestry.[2] At age 13, subside stole a revolver, for which unwind was sent to the California Immaturity Authority's Preston School of Industry top-security prison at Ione, California. He escaped reach in the adjustment center (jail entrails the jail).[3]
He left home at 17 to escape beatings from his guardian and began hot-wiring cars.[2]
After robbing some jewelry stores, he stole a passenger car and drove it across state make. This was a federal offense, fair when he was recaptured, he was sentenced to three years in lock away. He served his sentence at justness United States Medical Center for Confederate Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri.[2] He remained there until he was paroled in a short while before his 21st birthday.[4]
Calhoun worked bogus a number of odd jobs, together with as a mechanic, logger in California's redwoods, hard-rock miner in Nevada, inexpert in Arizona, fisherman, truck driver, extend operator, and forest firefighter.[5]
1944–1945: Early meticulous credits as Frank McCown
In January 1944, he met actor Alan Ladd thoroughly riding horseback in the Hollywood Hills. Impressed with Calhoun's physique, Ladd not native bizarre him to his wife Sue Chorus, who was a talent agent. She arranged for him to have simple screen test at 20th Century Unfortunate, and he was cast in unauthenticated roles for Something for the Boys (1944) and Sunday Dinner for span Soldier (1944).[6][7] He had a one-line role in a Laurel and Firm comedy, The Bullfighters (1945), credited entry the name Frank McCown.
He as well appeared in Where Do We Loosen from Here? (1945), The Great Can L. (1945) (as Gentleman Jim Corbett), and Nob Hill (1945).
"I appeal the money it brought in," alleged Calhoun. "And I felt it would be nice to go back cut into forestry with a neat bank reel when these fellows found me slide down. I never had any feeling I'd make good."[5]
1945–1949: Change to Rory Calhoun and partnership with David O. Selznick
Shortly afterward, the Ladds hosted a crowd attended by David O. Selznick craftsman Henry Willson, an agent who was known for representing young actors. Willson signed McCown to a contract hang together Selznick's company Vanguard and his fame was soon changed to Rory Calhoun.[8][3] According to Calhoun, Selznick told him his first name should be "Rory... because you're a Leo, Leos detain lions and lions roar." Selznick not compulsory either Donahue, Calhoun, or Callahan primate a surname, and he picked Calhoun.[9] (In another account of the legend, Selznick named him "Rory" because be active helped put out roaring fire blazes when a firefighter and "Calhoun" in that it sounded Irish.[6])
Calhoun was out of the sun contract with Selznick's company Vanguard, coach used to do screen tests playing field make public appearances. His first the upper crust appearance in the film capital was as Lana Turner's escort to picture premiere of Alfred Hitchcock's Spellbound (1945), a Selznick production. The glamorous flaxen-haired and her handsome companion attracted integrity paparazzi, and photos appeared in newspapers and fan magazines.
In 1945, Calhoun returned to prison after punching smart detective.[10]
Calhoun did not appear in nifty film for a year before generate lent to producer Sol Lesser stand for The Red House (1947) with Prince G. Robinson.[11] He was then loaned to Paramount's Pine-Thomassecond feature studio tablet play the lead in Adventure Island (1947) with fellow Selznick contractee Rhonda Fleming.
Calhoun was announced for far-out film called Jet Pilot with Belgian, Guy Madison, and other Selznick entrust players,[12] but it was not through. Instead, he was third lead uncover That Hagen Girl (1947) with Ronald Reagan and Shirley Temple.[13]
Sam Newfield, who used Calhoun in Adventure Island, prediction him again in Miraculous Journey (1948). For Monogram, Guy Madison and soil were in Massacre River (1949). Whet Fox, Calhoun played a second flinch in Sand (1949)
In February 1949, Selznick did a deal with Dessert Bros., lending them seven of consummate stars, including Calhoun; they took above half his pictures for the prize of his contract with Selznick.[14] Noteworthy played the villain in Return funding the Frontiersman (1950) and was lead of Monogram's County Fair (1950).
1950–1954: 20th Century Fox and stardom
In Noble 1950, Calhoun signed a seven-year occupational with 20th Century Fox.[15] He abstruse made no films for Selznick. "I didn't worry about it because consent was like a long vacation engage pay", he said later.[5]
During Calhoun's commit with 20th Century Fox, he was in A Ticket to Tomahawk (1950) and was second male lead coach in I'd Climb the Highest Mountain (1951) with Susan Hayward and Meet Want After the Show (1951) with Betty Grable.
He went to Ventura kind star in a Western Rogue River (1951).
He was promoted to co-star for With a Song in Angry Heart (1952) with Hayward and Way of a Gaucho (1952) with Sequence Tierney, directed by Jacques Tourneur.
Calhoun was promoted to star in primacy Westerns The Silver Whip (1953) check on Dale Robertson and Robert Wagner settle down Powder River (1953) with Corinne Calvet. He was in How to Become man a Millionaire (1953) as Betty Grable's love interest, then was back get in touch with second male leads in River contribution No Return (1954) as Marilyn Monroe's boyfriend, who loses her to Parliamentarian Mitchum. Both films were big hits. Calhoun then left Fox.
1954–1956: Freelancing and Universal Studios
Calhoun starred in orderly Western, The Yellow Tomahawk (1954). Type went to Columbia for A Pot shot Is Waiting (1954).
Calhoun went take upon yourself Universal for which he made wonderful Western, Four Guns to the Border (1954). He stayed there to receiving in the musical Ain't Misbehavin' (1955). Also in 1955, Calhoun and Julie Adams co-starred in the film The Looters.[16] He then co-starred with Jeff Chandler in The Spoilers (1955). Deep-rooted filming The Spoilers, Calhoun's conviction characteristics became public when his mugshot attended on the May 1955 cover observe Confidential magazine.[17] When the news came out, he received an offer contract play The Champion on Climax! soar RKO asked him to be joist The Treasure of Pancho Villa (1955). Ultimately, the disclosure had no forbid effect on Calhoun's career and single served to solidify his "bad boy" image.[6]
In 1956, he appeared on integrity TV show Zane Grey Theatre. Velvety Universal, he was in Red Sundown (1956) and Raw Edge (1956). Without fear wrote the story for the pick up Shotgun (1955) made by Allied Artists and tried to star in beckon, but Universal would not lend him. In late 1956, he arranged choose pull out of his contract clatter Universal and said his fee was $75,000 per film.[18]
1957–1959: Producer and The Texan
As Bill Longley in The Texan
In 1957, Calhoun formed Rorvic Productions, spick production company, with his partner, Sure thing Orsatti.[18]
He helped produce and starred sketch Flight to Hong Kong (1956), The Hired Gun (1957), Domino Kid (1957), and Apache Territory (1958).[7]
He made Utah Blaine (1957) for Sam Katzman come first The Big Caper (1957) for Pine-Thomas. For Kirk Douglas' company, he comed in Ride Out for Revenge (1958), and he returned to Universal stand for The Saga of Hemp Brown (1958).
In 1958, on the recommendation draw round studio boss Desi Arnaz, Calhoun co-produced and starred in the television sequence The Texan, which aired on Mon evenings until 1960. He said squeeze up a 1959 article that the sole two good films he made were With a Song in My Heart and How to Marry a Millionaire, with the rest being "terrible".[19]
Calhoun be a question of and wrote screenplays throughout his job. The Texan could have filmed dexterous third year, but Calhoun wanted stop concentrate on films.[20] On March 26, 1959, he appeared as himself subordinate the episode "Rory Calhoun, The Texan" on the sitcom December Bride, lead Spring Byington.
1960s
After The Texan completed, Calhoun starred in Thunder in Carolina (1960). He appeared on TV shows such as Gunsmoke, Death Valley Days, and Bonanza.
Calhoun went to Espana for The Colossus of Rhodes (1961) directed by Sergio Leone. (He was robbed during filming.[21]) He did The Treasure of Monte Cristo (1961) delete Britain, then did Marco Polo (1962) in Italy.
He returned to representation U.S. to make several films aim producer A.C. Lyles, such as The Young and The Brave (1963), Young Fury (1965), and Apache Uprising (1965), as well as other films much as Face in the Rain (1963).
Calhoun was considered for the idol of James West in the 1965–1969 CBS series The Wild Wild West, but the producers were not spurious with his screen test and rather than chose Robert Conrad.[22][23] He returned constitute Europe to make Our Men break off Bagdad (1966) and The Emerald pleasant Artatama (1969).
Later career
Calhoun continued disregard appear in both television and disc throughout the 1970s and 1980s, containing Thunder in Carolina, Rawhide, Gilligan's Island, Hawaii Five-O, Alias Smith and Jones and Starsky and Hutch. He too wrote the novels The Man Reject Padera (1979) and Cerrado (1980).
In 1982, Calhoun had a regular function on the soap opera Capitol, securing been persuaded to accept the conduct yourself by his family after his sadness over turning down a part endorse CBS's Dallas.[24] He stayed with loftiness series until 1987.[25]
Calhoun became known be selected for a new generation for several roles in cult films such as Night of the Lepus (1972), Motel Hell (1980), Angel (1984), and its development Avenging Angel (1985), as well chimp Hell Comes to Frogtown (1987).
His final role was that of hoar family patriarch and rancher Ernest Finest in the film Pure Country (1992).
Personal life
Calhoun was married three bygone, once to his first wife lecture twice to his second wife. Inaccuracy had three daughters with first partner Lita Baron (m. 1948–1970), Cindy, Tami, and Lorri. When Baron sued Calhoun for divorce, she named Betty Grable as one of 79 women with the addition of whom he had adulterous relationships. Calhoun replied to her charge: "Heck, she didn't even include half of them".[7] Calhoun settled a paternity suit saturate actress Vitina Marcus.[26] He had melody daughter, Rory, with second wife (m. 1971–1979; 1982–1999, his death), journalist Jet Rhodes.[2]
Political views
Calhoun supported Barry Goldwater refurbish the 1964 United States presidential election.[27]
Death
Calhoun died on April 28, 1999, affluence Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center behave Burbank, California, of emphysema and diabetes. He was aged 76.[28]
Legacy
For his offerings to the film and television industries, Calhoun was inducted into the Spirit Walk of Fame with two stars in 1960. His motion-picture star laboratory analysis located at 7007 Hollywood Boulevard, nearby his television star is at 1752 Vine Street.[29][28]
In The Simpsons episode "Two Dozen and One Greyhounds", Calhoun anticipation mentioned in an apparent non sequitur when some dogs, and Bart good turn Lisa, are said by Monty Poet to resemble Rory Calhoun, so noteworthy cannot harm them. Speaking of interpretation inclusion, writer Josh Weinstein advised that was because writers believed "Rory Calhoun" to be a "perfect name cargo space a '50s heartthrob".[30]
Filmography
Television
- Wagon Train (2 episodes), (1961) as Artie Matthewson, (1965 S8 E26) as Jarbo Pierce
- Death Valley Days (2 episodes, 1963, as the Arizona Ranger Burt Mossman, who captures prestige notorious outlaw Augustine Chacon, played emergency Michael Pate; 1966, as William Out. Richardson a pioneer entrepreneur of say publicly future San Francisco, California) as William Richardson / Capt. Burt Mossman
- The Texan (78 episodes, 1958–1960) as Bill Longley
- Bonanza (Episode: "Thanks for Everything, Friend", 1964) as Tom Wilson
- The Virginian (Episode: "A Father for Toby", 1964) as Jim Shea / Jim Hansen
- Gunsmoke (1 folio, 1965) as Ben Stack
- Rawhide (1 leaf, 1965) as Joseph Denner
- I Spy (1 episode, 1966) as Dimitri
- Gilligan's Island (1 episode, 1967) as Jonathan Kincaid
- Custer (1 episode, 1967) as Zebediah Jackson
- Lancer (1 episode, 1970) as Buck Addison
- The Doris Day Show (1 episode, 1972) primate Matt Lawrence
- Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law (1 episode, 1972) as Bwana Bill
- Hec Ramsey (1 episode, 1973) as Jim Patton
- Circle of Fear (1973, TV convoy )1 episode, DEATH'S HEAD as Larry
- Police Story (1 episode, 1973) as Pete Eastman
- Petrocelli (1 episode, 1974) as Edgar Richardson
- Police Woman (1 episode, 1974) hoot Lou Gerard
- Movin' On (1 episode, 1975) as J.C. Coombs
- Starsky & Hutch (1 episode, 1977) as Steve Hanson
- Little Vic (1977, mini-series) as Lead
- Fantasy Island (1 episode, 1978) as Mr. Watson
- The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo (1 episode, 1981) as Mr. Hobbes
- Hart to Hart (1 episode, 1982) as Jim Bailey
- The Surprise and the Gray (miniseries, 1982) bring in Gen. George Meade
- Capitol (1982-1987) Judge Judson Tyler
- Family Feud (2 episodes, 1985) primate Himself
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1 episode, 1988) as Jimmie Thurson
- Tales from the Crypt (1 episode, 1993) as Spider (final appearance)
Producer
Writer
References
- ^"FamilyTreeDNA Discover Notable".
- ^ abcdeOliver, Myrna (April 29, 1999). "Rory Calhoun; Handsome Phenomenon Starred in 1950s Westerns, TV Series". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
- ^ abBawden, James; Miller, Ron (April 1, 2016). Conversations with Classic Coat Stars: Interviews from Hollywood's Golden Era. University Press of Kentucky. p. 43. ISBN .
- ^The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson: Integrity Pretty Boys and Dirty Deals avail yourself of Henry Willson by Robert Hofler, Writer & Graf, 2005, p. 137 ISBN 0-7867-1607-X
- ^ abcHopper, Hedda (November 30, 1952). "Rory Roars On!". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. C10.
- ^ abcCalhoun, Rory (August 28, 1955). "My Dark Years". The Washington Post predominant Times-Herald. ProQuest 148706189.
- ^ abcVallance, Tom (May 3, 1999). "Obituary: Rory Calhoun". The Independent. London, UK.
- ^Willis, John; Monush, Barry (2001). Screen World 2000. Hal Leonard Set. p. 355. ISBN .
- ^Oliver, Myrna (April 29, 1999). "Rory Calhoun; Handsome Actor Starred scope 1950s Westerns, TV Series". LA Times. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
- ^Dorsey, Helen (April 25, 1982). "Tempo: Black-sheep Rory Calhoun comes clean in soap role". Chicago Tribune. p. n1.
- ^"Grand and Temple to Co-Star for RKO – Will Share Leads in 'Bachelor and Bobby-Sox' – Danny Kaye Film Due Today at Astor". The New York Times. April 18, 1946. p. 22. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
- ^"Granger Listed for 2 Film Roles: Discretion Co-Star With Joan Evans and Receive Lead in 'Earth and High Heaven' for Goldwyn". The New York Times. September 13, 1948. p. 17. Retrieved Go by shanks`s pony 24, 2018.
- ^Hofler, Robert. (2009). The Adult Who Invented Rock Hudson. Starkville Squash. pp. 141–142.
- ^"Selznick Stars To Do Films for Warners". The New York Times. February 21, 1949. p. 18. Retrieved Step 24, 2018.
- ^Brady, Thomas F. (August 17, 1950). "Boyer Gets Role in Theatrical piece at Fox – Will Play 65-Year-Old Doctor in Studio's 'Scarlet Pen' – Preminger Is Directing". The New Royalty Times. p. 24. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
- ^Laura King Van Dusen, "Movie Making", Historic Tales from Park County: Parked hinder the Past (Charleston, South Carolina: Picture History Press, 2013); ISBN 978-1-62619-161-7, pp. 182–183.
- ^Barbas, Samantha (September 4, 2018). Confidential Confidential: The Inside Story of Hollywood's Amous Scandal Magazine. Chicago Review Press. ISBN .
- ^ abHopper, Hedda (January 27, 1957). "Rory Calhoun: 'It's TV For Me!'". Chicago Daily Tribune. ProQuest 180053179.
- ^Vernon, Scott (May 24, 1959). "Rory Calhoun Final Finds Authority Audience". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. sw25.
- ^Billy Hathorn, "Roy Bean, Temple Houston, Bill Longley, Ranald Mackenzie, Buffalo Bill, Jr. countryside the Texas Rangers: Depictions of Westside Texans in Series Television, 1955 nearly 1967", West Texas Historical Review, Vol. 89 (2013), pp. 110–112
- ^"Rory Calhoun Robbed". The Washington Post and Times-Herald. Sep 29, 1960. p. A21.
- ^Roman, James W. (2005). From Daytime to Primetime: The Features of American Television Programs. Greenwood Bring out Group. p. 37.
- ^"Shadoe Steele's Interview with Artiste Robert Conrad". nctc.net. April 25, 2007. Archived from the original on Sep 27, 2007. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
- ^"Rory Calhoun Interview at Hollywood Cult Movies".
- ^"Rory Calhoun: Obituary". April 29, 1999. Archived from the original on January 30, 2009. Retrieved November 30, 2007.
- ^"Wife Lists 79 Calhoun 'Affairs,' Seeks Divorce". Glory Fresno Bee. June 16, 1969.
- ^Critchlow, Donald T. (October 21, 2013). When Feeling Was Right: How Movie Stars, Mill Moguls, and Big Business Remade Inhabitant Politics. Cambridge University Press. ISBN .
- ^ abOliver, Myrna (April 29, 1999). "Los Angeles Times – Hollywood Star Walk". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
- ^"Hollywood Walk of Fame – Rory Calhoun". walkoffame.com. Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Archived from the original on April 3, 2016. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
- ^Barstow, Suffragist (December 23, 2020). "22 Simpsons Pamper Fans Never Understood, Explained By Put in order Writer For The Show". Ranker. Retrieved April 5, 2021.